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If you are looking for a branded hotel in Nelson, there are only two choices: the Mercure/Monaco near the airport and Heritage's Rutherford in the centre of Nelson. I wouldn't stay at the former again - it's modelled on a twee Cotswold village with dark interiors and rather pokey rooms. Not my cup of tea. The Rutherford is an old...
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We spent two nights in the best location we could imagine...close to restaurants, flea market, cathedral, and Jens Hansen (Lord of the Rings ring creator). Very nice rooms, and the staff was amazingly helpful (especially Yuri). Definitely lived up to the Heritage property name.

A rather soulless hotel, a big reception area but no warmth of welcome. We arrived for a 2 night stay on a Sunday at 2.30 We were offered Valet Parking for $5 or park on the street for free. Why bother charging guests booking a top room $5 to park their car? If it was $25 I could understand but...
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RutherfordHotelGM, General Manager at Rutherford Hotel Nelson, responded to this review

Dear Frank M
Thank you for providing us with your feedback on your recent stay. I am very disappointed to find that you didn't receive a warm welcome when arriving at the hotel.
Your feedback regarding service and amenities have been discussed with other operational management and while we have not changed our parking charges we have ensured that the...
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Have stayed at the Rutherford a few times in the last few years and Sunday night was a very pleasant night.
Was in Room 808. Comfortable, cool and the room air conditioning and opening windows. After the humidity of Auckland was nice to have a sleep in 16-17 degrees.
Room and bathroom were fine and very comfortable and compared with...
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RutherfordHotelGM, Manager at Rutherford Hotel Nelson, responded to this review

Dear Harry7264
Thank you for your positive comments regarding your stay at Rutherford Hotel Nelson.
We are also pleased to read that you enjoyed the climate in Nelson.
Yours sincerely
Bevan McGillicuddy
General Manager
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We stayed in room 701 it seemed very eerie. The bathroom was nicely set out the bed was uncomfortable to sleep on, there was only 1 robe in the wardrobe, when there were 2 people staying in that room. We didnt know how to work anything so we had to figure it out ourselves. The minibar was not even plugged...
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The hotel was virtually empty at high season and we could see the reason why after spending one night there.
We checked out the next day and went to a hotel in town that was 2/3 the price and ten times better
The Rutherford hotel is faded, with old soft beds that are extremely uncomfortable
The service was awful. They...
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Unbelievable that a 4 star hotel can operate in the 'sunniest' place in NZ and produce rooms with no air conditioning. We stayed for 3 extremely uncomfortable nights in January sleeping in 'sauna' like conditions in a premium room. Never again!

Great location walking distance to the Sunday market, restaurants and shopping. The staff was so helpful as well as a great gym, conveniences of all the amenities. It was well worth the money compared to some of the other places in town was charging for a room. Would highly recommend and would stay there again!

Hotel is in the perfect location to explore the town and surrounding areas. Rooms were lovely - clean and spacious. Agree with other comments about charging for parking, however, we found spaces on the street every day to avoid this fee. Reception staff very helpful, but not very knowledgable (didn't know much without checking information on the internet, etc). Swimming...
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As you walk in, they've got a plaque proudly explaining how this hotel was built opened in the early 70s, and I don't think they've changed anything in it since.
Avoid room 101.
We were with our 4 kids, and it's got one shower, and one toilet for a 3-bedroom suite. The laundry room is bigger than the bathroom, and...
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Nelson is an extraordinary NZ destination befitting a hotel of such a high standard. The Rutherford Hotel Nelson offers luxurious hotel accommodation with a full complement of features designed to help you achieve the most from your stay. The hotel offers a range of superior guest facilities including two restaurants, a cafe and is only a couple of minutes walk from Nelson's main shopping district and landmark cathedral. Dining, relaxing, or getting away from it all, this is one of the few hotels that puts you right at the doorstep of three national parks and an unmatched range of sandy beaches, blue seas and mountain wilderness....more less

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